Awards

BME Senior Design Projects - Engineering Expo 2025

Lisa Romero De Mendoza — Fri, 02 May 2025 19:03:36 +0000

BME Senior Design Projects - Engineering Expo 2025 Lisa Romero De… Fri, 05/02/2025 - 13:03

Team Boulder Sterilization Services - BME Senior Design Award Winner. Members include: Zoie Nuno, Cambria McNulla, Kosy Ogbonna-ukuku, Samuel Zanotti and Ariadnee Ziady.

This year, 14 Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program senior design teams joined the College of Engineering & Applied Science Senior Expo to showcase their projects, a culmination of work that spanned two semesters. Some of the industry sponsors for this year included: Boulder IQ, Medtronic, TissueForm and Cardiost.

The Biomedical Engineering Program’s senior design course gives students the opportunity to apply the engineering knowledge they have gained at ��ϳԹ� to a real-world, open-ended design challenge. Industry sponsors propose a project that emulates the sort of challenges and problems students will encounter in an entry-level engineering position. Each project is then matched with a student team.

During the year-long experience, each student assumes a leadership role and contributes to the technical aspects of the project. Teams meet with their industry sponsor to ensure appropriate progress is made on the project and present their proof-of-concept prototype in the spring.

All of the teams did a terrific job with their projects and presentations highlighting their knowledge and skills! Congratulations to all of them!

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Six biomedical engineering students earn graduating student awards

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:02:03 +0000

Six biomedical engineering students earn graduating student awards Alexander Jame… Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:02

Alexander Servantez

Six students from the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) have earned graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2025.

These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions.

Each of the seven award winners will be recognized and celebrated at the department's Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 8.

Read below to learn more about these students and their amazing achievements.

Creighton Tisdale

Tisdale has received the Academic Engagement Award for his exemplary commitment to the college ecosystem. He has served as a course assistant for numerous classes, providing an enriching educational experience for his peers. In many cases, he even went above-and-beyond to learn new material in order to make sure he could assist effectively.

He's also excelled tremendously in the classroom and as an undergraduate researcher. Tisdale has maintained a 3.93 GPA and is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship at ��ϳԹ�. In the lab, he has displayed the ability to quickly pick up complex concepts, even becoming a second author on a recently accepted research paper after working in the Shields Lab under Assistant Professor C. Wyatt Shields IV for only six months. Outside of academics, Tisdale coaches youth sports, focusing on making the game accessible and inclusive for anyone. His nominator says Tisdale is a competitive nominee for any awards offered this spring, but academic engagement is where he shines the most.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I came to ��ϳԹ� hoping I could find my way towards designing and improving surgical and medical devices—my undergraduate experience prepared me more than I would've ever imagined. I was lucky enough to work on a senior design project fully focused on electrosurgery and device design, as well as gaining experience with unorthodox diagnostic techniques in my research. CEAS and the BME program allowed me to find the career direction I was seeking from the start by giving me loads of hands-on academic and professional exposure.

Fishion Yohannes

Yohannes is being tapped as a recipient of the Community Engagement Award for her unwavering commitment to community service through her involvement in mentorship, student support programs and advocacy initiatives. As a Lattice Scholars mentor, she is constantly providing guidance and encouragement to ��ϳԹ�'s first-generation scholars. She has also served as a lead mentor in the Engineering GoldShirt program, advocating for student success and cultivating an environment built on support, leadership and resilience. Her nominator says her impact is so profound, that many students have come back to become mentors themselves, "hoping to give back even a fraction of what she gave to them. The culture she has built will have a lasting legacy far beyond her time on campus."

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduation, I will be pursuing an industry role where I can apply all of the technical, collaborative, and problem-solving skills I’ve developed during my time at ��ϳԹ�. CEAS not only provided me with rigorous academic preparation, but also offered mentorship, resources, and opportunities that shaped my confidence and career direction. Without the support of ��ϳԹ� and CEAS, I truly don't know where I'd be today. I’ve found an irreplaceable community that made me feel supported, empowered, and seen as an engineer. This experience has not only prepared me for industry but has instilled a deep sense of purpose and belonging that I will carry with me into every future endeavor.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

My best advice for current students and future students has to be to know that you belong. Engineering is challenging, but you are not alone. Seek out mentors, seek community, and most importantly seek help. It’s OK not to know everything. Imposter syndrome is very real, but please remember that your perspective and contributions are beyond valuable. Your journey will have obstacles, but perseverance, resilience, and a strong support system will guide you. More than anything, never let self-doubt dictate your potential because you are capable, you are worthy, and you have the power to make a difference.

Cassidy Allen

Allen is receiving a Research Award from the college for her outstanding and impactful contributions to the biomedical industry. During her time at ��ϳԹ�, she has helped create a more efficient method for treating Raynaud's Disease using an adaptive device. Currently, treatment for the disease is done using a broad approach where whole extremities (hands, feet, etc.) are treated using a glove or sock-like device. The device's power consumption and design limited the treatment's effectiveness.

But Allen had other ideas. She introduced sensor-targeted treatment that greatly increased effectiveness and reduced the device's power consumption by nearly 66%. Her novel thinking, as well as her collaboration with other entities in the BME program, have fueled her early research success, and positioned her for a future patent for her technology.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Next, I will be joining the Cardiac Electrophysiology division at Abbott Laboratories as a software systems engineer in St. Paul, Minnesota. There, I’ll be contributing to the research and development of cutting-edge cardiac ablation systems to treat various arrhythmias with combined radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and pulsed field ablation (PFA) techniques. My experience at ��ϳԹ� and CEAS prepared me incredibly well for this opportunity. Through hands-on research and course projects, I developed practical and problem-solving skills that I feel confident bringing into this next chapter.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Don’t be afraid to fail! Some of the most valuable experiences come from mistakes and unexpected outcomes. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow, so embrace those moments and use them to become a better thinker and creator.

Shannon Blanco

Blanco is graduating with a dual major in mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering. She is receiving the Research Award for her work as a member of Neu Lab under Professor Corey Neu. Since joining this group in 2022, Blanco has contributed greatly to impact in the fields of biofabrication, 3D bioprinting, and the advancement of knowledge of osteoarthritis. Current solutions for younger patients with osteoarthritis who do not qualify for total knee replacements are primarily anti-inflammatory drugs that don’t restore the afflicted cartilage or bone tissue. There is a need for new treatment options, and her work will help bring these options to life.

She is also being recognized as a key member of an interdisciplinary team. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and worked with multiple stakeholders throughout her time at ��ϳԹ�, including doctors, surgeons and PhD-level scientists. Her nominator says her contributions have been "trusted by all members of the laboratory."

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduating this spring, I will be continuing at ��ϳԹ� to pursue my master’s in mechanical engineering through the BAM program. In the future, I hope to work in medical device design or prosthetics. ��ϳԹ� has helped prepare me beyond an educational standpoint by providing opportunities to get involved outside of class and make valuable connections.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Take advantage of the opportunities CU has to offer, whether it's research, clubs, internships, or design projects. Explore different areas, even if you're unsure at first, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Julia Keefe

Keefe's research ownership and tenacious attitude has earned her a Research Award this spring. During her time in the Rationally Designed Immunotherapeutics & Interfaces Research Group under Assistant Professor Kayla Sprenger, Keefe has evolved her learning and skills into novel thinking and questions. In fact, she even found a gap in literature, and her innovative work will one day provide mechanistic insight into the biomedical field.

Her project, funded by the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program (DLA), identifies protein-ligand conformations to propose druggable targets and aid future immunotherapeutic design. The diligent attention to detail and awareness will advance efforts toward immune regulation in inflammatory and immune-resolution disease states, improving translatability of rationally designed therapeutics that will directly benefit women’s health research. Keefe is also a former dancer. Her nominator says her research prowess is defined by her ability to "combine art and medicine, design and engineering." She presented her research at this year's DLA symposium and is currently working on submitting her research to a peer-reviewed journal.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduation, I am looking to continue working in the field of cancer research and technologies with a focus on women's health. CEAS helped me prepare by allowing me to explore so many different areas of engineering to truly find where my passions lie.

Hayden Tomazin

Tomazin is receiving a Research Award for his exceptional ability to complex scientific concepts and apply them to challenging research problems. His research primarily focuses on magnetically responsive microstructures. Using precise magnetic control to create lock-and-key microassemblies, Tomazin has been developing new fabrication techniques that can open doors for innovative applications in microsurgery and targeted drug delivery. His work could one day pave the way for a new class of noninvasive medical interventions.

Tomazin's contributions will also make their way into two publications out of the Shields Lab, led by Assistant Professor C. Wyatt Shields IV. He will be the second and third author in these publications, showcasing his outstanding dedication and curiosity to research. Beyond the lab, Tomazin has effectively shared his research and knowledge with a broader audience, presenting posters at conferences and through collaborations with other universities. His nominator says this level of undergraduate research achievement is rare, and that Tomazin is "one of the most capable undergraduate researchers I have mentored in my career."

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I'm hoping to find a job where I can use my research experience to help make medical treatment more accessible and less invasive.

Seven students from the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) have earned graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2025. These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions to the college and campus community.

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Borden, Rentschler inducted into the AIMBE College of Fellows

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:13:09 +0000

Borden, Rentschler inducted into the AIMBE College of Fellows Alexander Jame… Mon, 03/31/2025 - 10:13

Alexander Servantez

Two faculty members in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at ��ϳԹ� have etched their names amongst some of the most successful medical and biological engineers in the world.

Professors Mark Borden and Mark Rentschler have been inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows. The program is among the highest professional distinctions given to medical and biological engineers, representing the top 2% of these engineers around the world.

Professor Mark Borden (right) talking to a student in his lab.

“I am honored to be selected into the AIMBE College of Fellows,” said Borden, also a faculty member in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering. “It’s an exciting achievement and a great opportunity to promote the important research we do here at the university.”

AIMBE College of Fellows membership honors engineers who have made significant advancements in the field of medical and biological engineering. But it also recognizes engineers who have made outstanding contributions to the future of bioengineering education.

Borden has done both. His novel research focuses on developing microbubbles and nano droplets for use in ultrasound imaging.

These little particles are safe to inject into the body and can be used as contrast agents to indicate or predict diseases. They can also be used as a non-invasive technique for drug or oxygen delivery, targeting rare pediatric brain tumors and helping hypoxemic patients struggling to get oxygen through normal respiration.

“It’s quite an interdisciplinary field,” Borden said. “We have to pull knowledge from many different domains—acoustics, ultrasonics, biology. But the main core of our research is the development of new microbubbles and nano droplets. That’s what we are known for.”

Borden has also left his mark in the classroom. He played a key role in the creation of ��ϳԹ�’s BME program, even serving as its inaugural director in 2018. He stayed in the position for five years, during which time the undergraduate program grew significantly and earned ABET accreditation.

Rentschler’s impact transcends both research and education, as well. In 2018, he helped launch Aspero Medical, a startup company that develops micro-textured balloon overtubes used to enable more efficient and less invasive surgical procedures in the small bowel region.

Professor Mark Rentschler showcasing current and upcoming Aspero Medical devices.

These devices have proven to be successful, receiving clearance from the Food and Drug Administration in 2023. Since then, Rentscher and his team have been working to expand on their vision, announcing the development of two new surgical products powerful enough to transform endoscopy procedures even further.

“The first product was an improvement to the tools currently available to physicians,” said Rentschler, who is also a faculty member in mechanical engineering. “The next generation of devices we’re introducing are poised to make significant contributions to physicians and completely shift how they can treat aggressive cancers and precancerous lesions within the gastrointestinal tract.”

Rentschler also helped kickstart a mechanical engineering graduate design program back in 2010. Under his guidance, the program led to dozens of patents on graduate students’ design projects—some of them later going on to be used on patients or implemented by companies across the nation.

AIMBE inductees are also expected to serve as advocates for research by engaging with legislators and promoting public policies that foster continued advancement in medical and biological engineering fields.

It’s a hallmark of the AIMBE College of Fellows program, and both Borden and Rentschler believe they have the experience and expertise to be strong advocates for the future.

“I think we bring some interesting perspectives to these conversations, considering we’ve been in the academic research arena as well as the industry side of things,” Rentschler said. “I am honored to receive this distinction, and I am excited for these new opportunities to make a strong impact going forward.”

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CU Engineering announces inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellows

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:43:19 +0000

CU Engineering announces inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellows Alexander Jame… Fri, 02/14/2025 - 09:43

CU Engineering has named the inaugural recipients of its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellows program, which supports faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students in bringing research to market. The fellows, selected for their work in fields like robotics, biomedical devices and advanced materials, receive funding, mentorship and entrepreneurial support to accelerate commercialization.

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Rentschler, Aspero Medical awarded $4.5M for endoscopy advancement

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 21:36:21 +0000

Rentschler, Aspero Medical awarded $4.5M for endoscopy advancement Alexander Jame… Tue, 02/11/2025 - 14:36

Six years ago, Professor Mark Rentschler helped launch startup company Aspero Medical to develop a medical device used during endoscopy procedures. Today, with the help of a $4.5 million grant through the Anschutz Acceleration Initiative, Rentschler and his team are bringing two new medical devices to the market that have the potential to transform surgeries in the gastrointestinal region even further.

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Jerome Fox receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 18:59:56 +0000

Jerome Fox receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers Alexander Jame… Mon, 02/03/2025 - 11:59

Associate Professor Jerome Fox has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award celebrates nearly 400 recipients for their exceptional contributions to advancing science and engineering, and is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government.

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